Saona Island Catamaran And Boat Tour With Natural Pool

Cost was £58 (roughly $75) per person after conversion rates and any taxes applied. Overall a fair price for pleasant day out; the transfer was very good - the safest, most polite and accommodating driver we had over our entire 2 week stay; the island and the sandbank (referred to as the ‘natural pool’) were both naturally beautiful places well worth visiting. A few points worth noting: As with all the reviews I read with all the other tour companies, you do not spend 3 or 3.5 hours on Soana Island as advertised. It’s 2 at a push. We had less than 1.5 hours after we had been fed, which took longer than it reasonably should have done but it was not well organised and I’m assuming local or DR citizens don’t have to form part of the queue with the foreigners/tourists, because they just cut the line and go round to the rear of the serving station. There is no tour guide as such. There was one lad on the boat who spoke decent English and gave us instructions about where to he and when. This seems to be something some of the other tour groups are lacking. We had no issues or worries of not being able to get to the right place for pickup or being marooned. The transfer was in a minibus from our hotel to the harbour without a transition onto a larger bus, which appears to be common among orher tour operators. The Island is very busy, in September at least, so if you were hoping for a tranquil and relaxing swim and quiet moment on the beach forget it - you can’t walk anywhere near isolated or even sparsely populated in the time you have to ‘explore’. The advertisement states beer is included in the drinks on the island, however when I ordered a beer the barman asked for $5. Not sure if this is an official or unofficial charge. If you like loud Latin music and dancing you will enjoy the trip out to the natural pool on the catamaran. The staff on the boat are very enthusiastic and entertaining. If you are not a fan of the above, take ear plugs, mentally prepare yourself and embrace it for the 2 hour trip or don’t go. From what I could find all the group catamaran trips offer pretty much the same experience as far as this is concerned. Don’t expect a seat under the shade on the catamaran - bring water, hat, sunglasses, loads of sun cream (especially if you’re fair skinned) or rash vests/water shirts, because you may be in the sun for a while. However this isn’t necessarily a negative - you can lie out on the deck, catch some spray and enjoy it. The so called speedboat used for the trip back broke down and we ended up being overtaken by the catamarans that left after us. Probably a freak occurrence so hopefully not something you will need to consider, unless you read it in another review from a separate trip. All considered, it being roughly a 2 hour trip from our hotel west of Bavario (1 other stop for other participants included) to the harbour on the south of the DR island, food, about 4 hours of boat trips and a brief and busy, but still enjoyable visit to a tropical island, it was well worth the money. Just the lack of time on the island is disappointing and clearly lied about or deliberately mis-sold by the tour operator, but this appears to be consistent across all of them. There is time wasted with inefficiency and hanging around waiting for who knows what when this could give you an extra hour on the island.

The crew were great. I have been to Saona Island before however on the other side of the island. This side was full of rocks in the ocean so not as enjoyable of an experience.

It was an amazing experience, I hope you have your experience with Mr. Rey David He and the whole crew were very friendly

The whole day was full of energy and fun. The catamaran ride had great music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere. The natural pool stop was amazing for swimming and relaxing in shallow clear water.

This trip to Saona Island felt like stepping into a postcard. The catamaran ride was relaxing with beautiful ocean views and music that set the perfect mood. The natural pool stop was crystal clear and refreshing. The island itself is pure paradise with white sand and turquoise water everywhere.

I had an incredible time visiting Saona Island with one of my friends! The whole experience was just perfect—everything ran so smoothly, the views were breathtaking, and the whole vibe was just so relaxing. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone, and I can’t wait to come back soon!

Amazing experience from start to finish.The island is absolutely beautiful with crystal clear water.The catamaran ride was relaxing and fun.Everything was well organized and smooth.The natural pool was a highlight of the trip.Highly recommended for anyone visiting Punta Cana.

Description does not match experience. Fist the bus transfer takes a few hours to arrive, spent almost 40 minutes waiting in a gas station parking lot for another bus with people. Arrived at boat around 11am. Speed boat was fine, clean, covered - not the newest thing but totally fine. First stop no snorkeling, no masks, no nothing. It’s basically a swim stop. “Bar” is 2 liters of coke or sprite and rum. That’s it. Island was nice, we arrived at 12:50, lunch at 1 and departed at 2:30. Lunch was fine, it rained but there was plenty of cover in the picnic area. Catamaran was older (all fiberglass, not nets in the front if you are envisioning that) dancing got started then music went out. Maybe got 5 songs intermittently. Then they put hats on your head and tell you they cost $5 after they tied them to your head. Prepare to be on this excursion for 10-12 hours. we enjoyed ourselves, but I read the other reviews and expected different- had I known all of this I would have managed expectations.

Had a great time, the beach is beautiful. Was a bit bummed that the booking page stated beer was included but it wasn’t. Was looking forward to having a beer on the boat. Nevertheless, it was an awesome experience.

t was not a good excursion. Too much time spent for picking up and dropping off. It took more than 12 hours and almost 9 hours spent on transportation. It’s not good at all and wasting so much time at 2 beautiful places. We only stopped at the blue lagoon for more than half an hour and less than 1.5 hours at the Saona Island. This tour is not organized by any level and activities are not what were advertised on Viator. A lot of people from this group also voiced their frustration due to too much transportation and little time spent on activities. I would NOT definitely not recommend to my friends nor family. I was tired after the trip and didn’t feel do much except sitting on the bus the entire time

Excellent guides: The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. They taught us about the marine wildlife and ensured we had a safe and fun experience. Thank you for everything!

Guaranteed fun: If you're looking for adventure and relaxation, this activity is ideal. The speedboat is fast and fun, while snorkeling connects you with the ocean. Don't miss it!

Amazing nature: The activity combined the excitement of a speedboat ride with the tranquility of snorkeling. Seeing corals and fish in their natural habitat was simply magical.

Excelente tour, excelente todo

Very good, excellent treatment and nice experience on the tour 😉 👍

Too much time to get there and too little to enjoy the island.

German was very diligent in solving any inconvenience, the experience was excellent, great value for money

It was a great experience in planning and punctuality! It is an experience that, despite being several transfers, is undoubtedly worth it to connect with nature; the colors and aromas are incredible! Visually, it is some of the best that the country offers! Culturally, there is undoubtedly a lot of history and many heritage sites!

If you travel to Punta Cana, do not hesitate to book excursions with Don Germán. From the first moment we received excellent attention, with very good communication, punctuality, and a very organized service. We did the excursions to Saona Island, Dolphin Explorer, and Catalina Island, and all of them exceeded our expectations. In Saona we enjoyed spectacular landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and an unforgettable experience. At Dolphin Explorer it was exciting to interact with the dolphins in a very well-organized environment. On Catalina Island we were able to enjoy beautiful beaches, an excellent atmosphere, and a perfect experience to relax. I want to especially highlight the kindness and professionalism of Don Germán and his team, who were always attentive to every detail so that everything turned out in the best way. Without a doubt, when we return to Punta Cana we will hire your services again. I recommend them 100% for an unforgettable vacation!

An excellent day, the organization was top-notch and well secured. I recommend it to you.

Excellent, I loved the services, they treat you excellently, you have a great time, I recommend it 100%.

The trip was super good, 10/10 thanks to German from West Way Punta Cana, a very beautiful experience.

Phenomenal, a nice photo experience

It was great fun, a great experience and highly recommended

An amazing experience from the beginning to the end.The island is simply paradise with crystal clear waters.The catamaran ride was very relaxing.The team was very friendly and professional.Everything was well organized.Highly recommended for all travelers.

All perfect on the tour to Saône Island. Catamaran, speedboat and spectacular Blue Lagoon. Highly recommended!

5 out of 5, wonderful experience beautiful places

Today I lived one of the best experiences of my trip thanks to this excursion to Saône Island. From the first moment, everything was wonderful. They take you by catamaran or speedboat to a stunning natural pool, where you can see sea stars. In addition, they do an amazing photo shoot and throughout the tour they spoil you with unlimited drinks, including beer and rum. The team is super helpful and attentive, they make you feel comfortable and cared for at all times. When we arrived on the island, I was fascinated: it is a paradise! And the food... wow, delicious. A traditional Dominican lunch, with plenty of flavor and seasoning. Everything was rich, fresh and abundant. I loved EVERYTHING. It was a very, very, very special experience that I heartily recommend. If you are in Dominican Republic, you can not miss it. Thank you for a spectacular day!

The tour meets what the description says. At the beginning there were stops at places to buy souvenirs that could have been avoided, but from then on, the entire tour was excellent! The atmosphere on the catamaran was very good, and our group leader, “Barba,” was very kind and attentive to us. The beach is amazing, sargassum-free, and the food is great. After the island, they took us to a “natural pool” and we had a great time. The tour description is what you're going to get. Highly recommended tour 👍🏻👍🏻

Unforgettable adventure: Sailing on a speedboat through the turquoise waters of Punta Cana was a unique experience. Snorkeling was the perfect complement to exploring marine life.

A perfect day: From start to finish, everything was spectacular. The attention of the team was exceptional and the beauty of the Caribbean Sea is indescribable. Highly recommended!

A full day on Saona Island was magical. The beaches were dreamy, the snorkeling was exciting, and the local food was exquisite. An unforgettable experience!

Saona Island is pure beauty. The excursion was great, with a fun catamaran ride and stops to swim in crystal-clear waters. The food was delicious too.

The excursion to Saona Island is a gem in Punta Cana. The turquoise waters are stunning and the atmosphere is perfect for relaxing. A day I will always remember!